STAND. COM. REP. NO.  72-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2134

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2134 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR NURSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to continue the important research, data sharing, and collaborative services of the Hawaii State Center for Nursing (Center) by making permanent the deposit and disbursement of certain nursing fees into the Compliance Resolution Fund to the credit of the Center For Nursing Special Fund (Special Fund).

     The Board of Nursing and Healthcare Association of Hawaii testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Nurses Association and a concerned individual opposed this measure.  The Center offered comments.

     Your Committee respectfully suggests that:

     (1)  An annual report be submitted by the Center to the Governor, Legislature, and stakeholders, including the accomplishments of the Center and its financial statements for the fiscal year; and

     (2)  An evaluation be performed of the Center's fee structure to ensure that fees charged to nurses are appropriate to the mandated functions of the Center.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by extending the sunset date to 2014, rather than making permanent, the deposit and disbursement of certain nursing fees into the Compliance Resolution Fund to the credit of the Special Fund.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2134, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2134, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Health.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

JERRY L. CHANG, Chair